I would paint the back wall of the alcove in the same colour as the window frames and cabinets for a much more unified look. Then your countertop and the round mirror will stand out more. I would also recommend a beautiful roman shade on both of the windows. I'll attach some inspiration pictures of elegant shades that would work well here (although some of the colours will need to be changed to fit with your decor). All you would need to do is accessorize the countertop with some decorative items.

A cluster of a few related items will make a bigger impact than a spread out collection of small objects. Try displaying some pretty platters or that silver tea set you got as a wedding gift. Absolutely do not have exposed electrical cords in the plugs on either end of your buffet.

As you entertain you will be so happy to have this!
Keep it nea and clean a cluster of pottery on one side and vase/ flowers on the other-
Done!

HI -- This is something I wish I had. I would love to see it a little more rich and glam because right now it looks like a kitchen counter. I would have the front of the cabinets redone with some sleeker doors and some drawers for cutlery etc., more modern and no hinges showing with some cyrstal knobs.Or you could go on the hunt for a vintage or antique piece that could be fitted for the space.Or have something custom made. . Somewhat in a modern deco style, mahogany ,rich and dark in a satin sheen. For the wall you could have a wallpaper or black mirror on the whole wall . Finish the window frames to match the buffet front.The counter top could be the same as the front in the mahogany or a marble in a cream or black. Have some leaded glass made for the windows with textures and bevelled and jeweled crystal pieces. Then hang a mother of pearl framed mirror in the center or a fancy Vanitian mirror. Then for items on the counter, crystal candle holders in several styles and sizes with silver items or a large oblong low bowl and an asian style pot with several white orchids. Maybe a couple of buffet lamps. Just some ideas of several things , not saying to use it all at once. Hope this helps.

I have a beautiful home that is in need of severe updating in the kitchen and bath. primarily i am concerned with the kitchen. It is a split level home with living, dining and kitchen all on same level. the living room is enormous and but has been chopped up by added in walls and a coat closet which blocks one of the french doors. the dining room is much larger than the kitchen which is extremely dark. i would like to knock out the closet in the living room and the wall between the living and dining room and add more cabinets and granite countertops. i would like to do all this myself but cant decide which thing to start with. its almost overwhelming for one person to do alone. what do you suggest? i already have all the materials.

Larger scale accent pieces. You could set up an elegant bar station or some Italian style stoneware jugs, a soup tureen, or frame your pictures in a larger mat and frame to make a statement. Think big and bold but not too much. You need to leave room for function.

Hi Trisha. I would keep things simple. Raise the mirror so it's centered with the windows, then add a nice large arrangement underneath. Then arrange your photos under the windows.

I like the symmetry from ej610's render, less is more in this case.

The alcove is very nice but is getting lost with the light colored buffet. Can you call out the area with an accent color? I also think you need something with a bit of scale and height in the center in addition to the mirror to be the center of attention.

The cabinet style is a bit more informal and with the symmetry from the dining table and the chandelier I think a more asymmetric look for the buffet would be more in character. If you have some lovely serving platters set them in plate stands on one side, then mix in some smaller pieces for a clean but layered look. (Think turkey platter set up tall and work down from there)

Trisha, I'm posting an image of an Amy Lau room for you to see. If you can find something similar to the piece of art, this would do several things. First, the fact that it is asymetrical AND is curvelinear (echoing both your arch and round dining room table) is a plus. So you echo shapes without submitting to round. The high contrast of the white against the darker wall is also important. The lamp to the left has just enough bulk and height to give some weight and line to one corner, and you have the good luck of electrical right there. The floral arrangement to the right is a good size and offers color, and more good line.

You didn't ask for advice on your buffet, so I am assuming you are happy with the looks of it? I do have a few comments. If ever you decide to change out portions or all of the buffet, you might want to consider a touch latch system for the doors, so you have no hardware showing. Also, I notice you have a tot, and this is a good system, whereby little fingers are unable to pry the doors open. The buffet is built too low for a dining room. So as I said, if you should decide to make changes, I would add at least a good 6 inches or more to the height.

The windows need a treatment, depending on how formal you want your dining room. As a NYer, I like the dining room to be the 'lady of the house's', I would take down the mirror. I don't think it adds anything to the room. I would sit for a portrait of yourself in it's place.I love the idea of flowers but not an arrangment, just beautiful cut flowers that work with the color of the room.

The area is nice as is but you could do a couple of things such as add a toile print wallpaper. Alternatively, you could continue the trim and ledge of the windows across the wall. Set a painting or mirror similar in scale to the windows on the ledge. The wall under the ledge could be treated similarly to a backsplash with tile or take it one step farther to tile the wall and top of the buffet.

Trisha,
I have almost the same issue with my buffet, although it is not built in. Start with a window treatment that you like; makes selecting accessories and paint treatment much easier when you start with a foundation color. A plate/platter display in the center will add a focal point to the mirror. Use a stacking plate stand for dinner plates and silverware server on one side, and a glass beverage dispenser on a plate stand on the other side to create balance. Always best to display items you will use rather than havin to clear the buffet when entertaining, etc.
Good luck and display pictures when you're done.

I think the cabinet unit would look better painted the wall color so that it just blends in instead of standing out. I'd also consider new hardware. The windows would look lovely with roman shades or stained glass, etc to really bring them out and a colorful size appropriate picture or a taller mirror between them. The round one just doesn't seem to work. On top of the buffet I would go with wide base buffet type lamps in front of the windows with a nice accent piece such as a large decorative plate in a stand centered in the middle. Keep it simple. Also, just a thought, a tall plant/tree on the floor on each side would add a lot I think.

It is a great buffet, but looks like a table set up with mirror and photos. I would wallpaperthe walls and the side and the peak in one of the new prints with a simple swirly design and a white background. Then I would make window shades in a plain color from the wallpaper, and paint the trim a color, maybe a deep greige. Whatever wallpaper you pick out. I would remove the mirror, it is an odd look there and put up either a rectangle mirror or a lovely painting. I would add some candlesticks on one side in different glass. maybe 6 on a silver tray and the other side in a leather tray an ice pitcher thongs, martini shaker, some glass decanter and let everyone know it is a buffet.
I have a beautiful soup tureen and I would suggest that for the center always filled with fresh flowers.
Wallpaper try osborne little yellows Malabar is one and Scarisbrick is interesting.
Both busy so you might do the wall only or I like a little over the top, I would do the entire alcove. And it will be outstanding. You will not need a center photo, just the flowers, candlesticks and bar decanters simple.and a white trim on the windows with no shades.The wall and buffet will speak for itself.

i am getting replies for Trisha Westervelt's dining room hutch question????

A great space with the windows. That window wall would be a great place to paint an accent color and hang a fantastic color coordinated piece of artwork. Then keep the buffet top simple: low small interesting lamps in your style, and one large piece of decoration, like a coordinating vase or an old silver tea set. If you can change a couple doors to make them a decorative unit and light them from inside, then you will have a balanced accent area. Good luck
http://media.photobucket.com/image/built%20in%20buffet%20ideas/Kompy/P1000871.jpg

I would paint the alcove an accent color and replace the mirror with two glass shelves, the lower one to align with the window sill and the upper one to align with the center of the window. Use the shelves to display any pretty glassware, pottery, or china that you have or can rescue from the resale store. If you have Grandma's gravy boat or Aunt Hazel's Fiesta Ware pitcher, this would be a way to get some personality into the room.

A pair of matching lamps would look lovely along with whatever else you choose to display. The mirrors would reflect the light for a nice atmosphere for intimate dining.
http://www.graciousstyle.com/shop/table-lamps-floor-lamps

@ Diane
You've posted your question on her thread. You'll need to start a new thread for your own questions.

The first thing I would do is to switch out the cabinet doors to Shaker style to bring the buffet more in line with the style of the windows. The 90's laminate doors make the buffet too casual and make it feel more like a kitchen counter than a lovely built in. You could even use some Shaker glass front doors and display your best china set behind them. Place some puk style touch lights under the shelves to light when dinning and highlight your dishes on display. Next I would put maybe two shelves in a complimentary style (and painted white) between the windows and put some china pieces on them, platters, teapots, pitchers etc. I would hang some long narrow mirrors, with white painted frames, inside the nook on each end wall to reflect more of the light that's coming in the windows. Tall narrow buffet lamps in front of each window would look wonderful. The mirrors you've placed in the nook will also reflect the light from the buffet lamps and make the food more visible as your guests fill their plates. Framed family pictures in front of the lamps and a nice floral centerpiece under the shelves would pull it all together. When you have company and use the buffet for serving all you'll need to do is move the centerpiece to the table and move the pictures to end tables in your living room. Let your china be the deciding factor in the colors you choose for the room and the accessories. Good Luck!